GunnerBill

I don't think they did in this thread. Maybe one or two. Most people were very sensibly talking about the extent and reasons for a downturn in performance that reached its nadir in New Jersey but has its routes back at least to the middle of last season. There may have been a troll or two saying Josh isn't good but for the most part that was not the response.

I'll confess I hated him as a prospect. His technique is sloppy, and still is.... but he has played reasonably so far. His size wins him a lot of battles.

I'd have had it: Bills Jets Fins Pats But after the Rodgers injury I have it: Bills Fins Pats Jets

That might explain it. He definitely wasn't moving well.

Agree. And the oline is supposed to be the strength of that offense. If they can't hold up the Browns are in serious trouble, even before we factor Chubb's injury in.

He looked like he was running in treacle last night.

Yea he doesn't have one of those either.

Meh. I thought the whole Browns line was pretty overwhelmed. But given Jones was against Watt I thought he did better than you might have feared.

I think the reason it is hard to replicate is you have to time it perfectly. Otherwise you risk being Offside and giving teams 5 yards and in many cases a 1st down. But it was a very impressive wrinkle. Bill is still an excellent coach. He just doesn't have a very good team.

Yea agree. Miami will be tough I think the Jags here in London with them having already been here a week and acclimatised will be very tough too... but we should beat Washington, the Dolphins game is at least at home.... and then that run of 5 games post Jags until we hit the Eagles sets up nicely for us. Although tbh I wish we played the Bengals a little sooner.... because if Burrow is healthy they are a different proposition.

I'll be watching Buffalo so I don't care. Hope the late game is better than Dallas - NYJ

Those are two awful offenses. Neither can pass protect. Pickens is the only receiver from the two teams I think is any good at this stage. And both Quarterbacks are big play or nothing. Cleveland without Chubb can't make the playoffs. Steelers with that offense have no chance. Yuck. Two excellent defenses mind you.

I think Mixon is washed. My point is take away Burrow and your effectiveness of the next three on the list: Chase, Higgins and Boyd is significantly reduced. So much of their strength is centred on the passing game. If Joe Burrow isn't healthy it takes a huge chunk out of their team. Other than Mixon I agree on the list.... but three of them are dependent on a fourth to make it go.

It is either him or DJ Reader and yet neither are elite and nobody looks at the Bengals DLine and says "wow what a force". I think if you take their pass game away there isn't much left that stands out. Whereas at least in the last two seasons you have had "elite safety duo" as well as elite pass game. Don't get me wrong with a healthy Joe Burrow Cincy have enough pieces to be a contender still. But they are overall weaker as a team in 2023 IMO.

I keep telling you all.... 2024 is, at the latest, the last year Josh will play on his deal. These elite QBs fall so fast down the AAV charts they are never playing their full deal out.

I agree with some of this.... yesterday was definitely partly a result of the Bills Dline dominating. Especially in the middle Oliver and Jones won most of their reps and that did make his game easier. But I think he was better than average yesterday. I agree poor first half v Jets, average 2nd half, pretty good yesterday even if not fully tested because of the performances in front of him. I also agree he still has to improve pre-snap, both in recognition and in authority calling it. As was pointed out earlier it looked on the TD pass as though he recognised we were lined up wrong but couldn't get the guys to fix it. You have to take control there, hard as it is for a young player. Ultimately compared to where I feared we would be "not a liability" would be a very good outcome and I trust the defense to work around him. Anything better than that is money.

I don't think their window is closed but if, as looks likely, the Burrow calf issue is going to linger all season then they are done for 2023. Even more than the Bills or the Chiefs that team goes as its passing game goes. Take away Burrow, Chase, Higgins and Boyd. Who is the next best player on the team?

We have certainly. Last year having a known finesse center and the worst starting guard combo in football didn't help.

And if that happened tomorrow Tim Settle would play.

So far that signing has been pointless.

Oh I agree he will. I wouldn't put him in.

They have not solved the oline since the moment Burrow arrived. It has been bad. It probably cost them a Superbowl title. Their corners have never been great, but they had very good safety play that helped cover for that weakness. Both safeties have now gone and they are exposed. Joe clearly isn't 100% which shows how much they rely on him to carry things.

I mean if Offensive Coordinators were enshrined in Canton (not arguing they should be) Josh McDaniels would likely get in. Dick LeBeau is in I think, and while he was a Head Coach he is in for his DC work, but not sure any other coordinators are in? Personally I wouldn't put Sean Payton in the HoF. He wasn't a true game changing innovator and I don't think his record as a HC justifies it.

There was not a groundswell. That is fair. And I don't recall many, if any, of what I'd call the "serious posters" suggesting it. But in the meltdown that consumed the board the three weeks after the Bengals loss there were some of the fringe calling for it.

Yea fans are over emotional people. It's short for fanatic. They are the same everywhere. Watch some Manchester United fan vlogs at the moment to see grown men losing control of their emotions on cue.